The concept of the last stand is ages old, probably because we human beings hate letting defeat sweep over us without at least doing everything we can to oppose it. There are many stories of warriors fighting until the last man (generally true war stories), but in fiction we get to taste the mythical heroic victory despite overwhelming odds. And not any old odds, but utter failure wrapped in a single conflict. Like when a single hero takes on an entire army. It makes for a great story.
Fiction offers a glimpse into what might be, even when it's ridiculously optimistic. We love our heroes. Why is it that Hercules is such a long-lived myth? I submit that it's because we personally long to be able to fight incredible odds and come out the victor. When we vicariously live out those fantasies through the deeds of heroes, it's in part as if we've done them ourselves. That's why we love them, and create even more incredible deeds and impossible victories.
At its core, I think heroic victories give us hope that we can defeat the comparatively small issues that we deal with. After all, if Hercules can clean out a huge set of stables in a day, then why am I complaining when I have to do the dishes? Whatever your personal favorite, these stories empower us, give examples of incredible heroics, and are plain terrific entertainment. Heroic victories will continue until the end of time.
Long live the fighters!
- M
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